Confusion and infighting addles the Native American health care system. But some groups are ready for change.

By Marisa Demarco

Part II

Navida Johnson's not sure how her $650 hospital bill ended up in collections. On Veteran's Day in November of last year, she had to take her ill 14-year-old son to the hospital. Indian Health Services (IHS) wasn't open so she went to UNM Hospital. To get the bill taken care of by IHS, Johnson says she knew she had to give IHS notification of her hospital visit within the following 48 hours. "Which I did," says Johnson. "I was following everything they told me."

Enough About Newspapers Dying

If someone told you they were reading a story about newspapers, it’d be a safe bet the piece that struck their fancy was about declining circulation and newspapers kicking the bucket. I can’t recall a story about newspaper trends that wasn’t about their demise. I’m guilty of it myself [Thin Line: “Circulation Consternation,” Nov. 22-28, 2007], but it’s time to stop.

What led to a New Mexico man's death, according to a federal lawsuit? A study finds the disparity among rich and poor in New Mexico is ... . What were protesters in Santa Fe hot about? And the governor unveils a shiny new keepsake.

A bowling championship strikes Albuquerque and generates spare cash for city businesses

Dateline: Tanzania--In a state of the nation speech delivered earlier this month, President Jakaya Kikwete finally came out strongly against witch doctors who kill albinos and harvest their body parts in the hope it will bring prosperity. In condemning the practice, Kikwete noted that 19 albinos have been murdered since March 2007, mostly in the Victoria region of his East African nation. Another two albinos were missing and presumed dead. “Sometimes, word spreads around that body parts of people with certain physical attributes, like bald people or albinos, contribute greatly to attaining quick prosperity,” Kikwete said in the speech. “These killings are shameful and distressing to our society,” he added.

[Re: The Radford Files, “Logic 101,” April 10-16] This was one of the best articles I've read in the Alibi. I would like to apply Radford's logic to another subject near and dear to most Americans: President Bush. His far-right, conservative, extremist constituency voted him into office, at least the second time, thinking he would help outlaw abortion. It's ironic that he will not accomplish this, but instead be directly responsible for the deaths and maiming of thousands.